Saturday, 21 January 2017

Coalition Strikes Destroy ISIL Boats Fleeing From East Mosul

Coalition Strikes Destroy ISIL Boats Fleeing From East Mosul

In
three days of operations that began Jan. 18, coalition forces struck 90
watercraft and three barges on the Tigris River in Mosul, Iraq, U.S. Central Command officials reported today.

Many of these watercraft were
being used to ferry Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant fighters and
equipment across the river from East Mosul to West Mosul in an attempt
to escape the Iraqi security forces as they continued to clear the
remaining portions of East Mosul, officials said.

Iraqi security forces secured the
Eastern bank of all five bridges across the Tigris River in Mosul during
the past week of clearing operations, they added, making it difficult
for ISIL fighters to flee.

ISIL Fighters Desperate

"We believe this was a desperate
attempt to retrograde ISIL fighters now that the Iraqi security forces
own the eastern bank of every bridge in Mosul," said Air Force Col. John L. Dorrian, spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve.
"This is one more example of how the coalition is supporting the
military defeat of ISIL by launching airstrikes while Iraqi military
complete the clearance of eastern Mosul."

Since the operation to liberate Mosul began Oct. 17, the coalition
has destroyed at least 112 watercraft on the Tigris River in Mosul,
officials said, with several more damaged or destroyed outside of the
city.